KINDS OF FUN
With all the tension in the world and around the upcoming election, it can be helpful to have an outlet that distracts us, makes us laugh, or gets us up and moving around. This week, you get a TV series, a fun novel, and Olympics for the mature set.
ADVENTURES IN WINE MAKING, KIWI STYLE
Under the Vines, Season 3 (Prime Video)
In this latest season of Under the Vines, Daisy and Louis, co-inheritors of Oakley Wines, are challenged by the arrival of obnoxious William, who claims to own part of the winery. Their focus is on scheming both legally and otherwise to get him to leave, while Daisy plans her upcoming wedding.
The supporting cast includes the mostly silent, but talented winemaker Tippy, their local friends Nic and Vic who are awaiting the arrival of twins, and Gus, who returns when his relationship with movie start Griff collapses. Add in their chief competitors Don and Marissa and the somewhat flaky Hilary, fortune teller and devotee of the occult, and you have a spirited ensemble.
This comedy-drama is fun and occasionally silly, an energizing change from crime shows. It’s best to start with the first season, but I think this one is the best. Recommended!
FINDING ONESELF THROUGH FOOD
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl
Ruth Reichl’s The Paris Novel has a bit of everything: scenes of Paris, that famous bookstore Shakespeare & Company, and appearances by literary figures like James Baldwin, John Ashbery, and Allen Ginsburg. And of course, food and cooking. Knitting it together is Stella’s somewhat delayed coming-of-age story.
At her mother’s death, Stella is left with money and the directive, “Go to Paris.” She has lived a sheltered, controlled life. She wasn’t close to her mother, she works as a copy editor, and she hasn’t ventured out of her comfort zone. Paris overwhelms her, and Stella flounders a bit until Jules, a kindly older art collector and widower, takes her under his wing.
She discovers the bookstore, drops in there, and reluctantly becomes a Tumbleweed, those who help in exchange for the privilege of staying overnight in an alcove. Stella’s main quest has to do with finding out about a piece of art (Jules is helpful here). Secondarily, she wonders about the mystery father she never knew or was told about. In the process, she samples all manner of French dishes and is pleased to learn that she has a discriminating palate and perhaps even talent in the kitchen.
There’s a lot going on in this novel, probably too many strands, but it’s a fun adventure—watching Stella expand her horizons while vicariously savoring all those luscious French meals. For those who might not know, Reichl was the editor of Gourmet magazine for ten years. Bon appetit!
MATURE OLYMPICS
Brightspire Olympics
Who would have thought that senior living communities would host an annual Olympics? Well, to my surprise and skepticism, four Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) in North Carolina compete each fall in a host of activities, both physical and mental. There are some obvious events like bocce ball, pickleball, and walking races, but also timed puzzle contests and a quiz bowl. Residents sign up in the summer for their preferred event and practices are held. There are even cheerleaders, decked out in short skirts and tops with pompoms ready!
For those of us, like me, who were spectators only, highlights included cheering the arrival of the other teams midst band music, the opening parade of all the competitors (lead athlete with a torch, of course), chair dancing and line dancing performances, and witnessing the nail-biting last round of the quiz bowl competition. A spirit of fun and camaraderie reigned all day at Glenaire. It was hard not to get caught up in it!
Note: Unattributed photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
